This presentation will give psychotherapists concrete ways in which to apply Brene' Brown, PhD, LMSW's research on shame, vulnerability, and connection. The presentation will also address the role of shame in mental illness and practicing courage, compassion, and connection as helping professionals.

Allison Marek, LCSW, CDWF has worked as a psychotherapist for adolescents and adults with eating disorders in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings. Allison has also served individuals with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and histories of trauma and abuse. Additionally, Allison has implemented eating disorder prevention programs in nonprofit organizations and in school settings.

Allison earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Houston (UH). During her undergraduate studies, Allison also studied health psychology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Allison returned to UH to earn her Master of Social Work degree. At UH's Graduate College of Social Work, Allison concentrated on trauma-focused clinical practice and studied shame resilience with Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW.

Allison is certified in Dr. Brown's Daring Way™ method and has facilitated the Daring Way™ with adolescents, young adults, geriatrics, and adults with severe mental illness. Allison frequently utilizes Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in her work with clients and is trained in Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP™), Allison is also trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Regardless of the treatment approach, compassion is at the heart of Allison's work with clients and their families.

We meet on the Houston Baptist University campus, (near Hwy 59 and Beechnut), in the Hinton Center Building Room 139. For directions, call 281-649-3000. Use entrance #3 off Beechnut.